Shelton State Buccaneers reload with nine signees

Bobby Sprowl, head coach of the Shelton State baseball team, can't guarantee his recruits a trip to the JUCO World Series, but the Buccaneers have been to Colorado for three straight seasons.

By Andrew CarrollSports Writer

TUSCALOOSA | Bobby Sprowl, head coach of the Shelton State baseball team, can't guarantee his recruits a trip to the JUCO World Series, but the Buccaneers have been to Colorado for three straight seasons.

'We're looking for kids that want to come to Shelton, No. 1,' said Sprowl, who has led the Buccaneers to three straight championships in the Alabama Community College Conference Tournament. 'Good kids. Character kids that fill a need as well as possibly be a multi-position guy.

'I'm sure the word is out about us (going to Colorado). It may bring some attention from kids out of the state or out of the area. As far as this general vicinity, I think we've had a solid program whether we've gone to Grand Junction or not. It has helped some, I'm sure.'This year's signees include Taylor Harris, infielder from Prattville; Brandon Roberts, outfielder from Oxford; Chris Whitaker, outfielder from Marengo Academy; Trent Lucas, infielder and right-handed pitcher from Thompson; Steven Glasgow, right-handed pitcher from Hoover; Jeremy Hobson, catcher from Bibb County; Jordan Chism, outfielder and left-handed pitcher from Thompson; Justin Anglin, right-handed pitcher from Hamilton; and Wes Franklin, infielder and right-handed pitcher from St. Clair County.Sprowl said he expects Paul W. Bryant catcher J.R. Krebs and Tuscaloosa County third baseman Chase Smith will join the program as 'invited' players.'They all seem to fill a need,' Sprowl said. 'They enjoy playing, so they're going to fit into what we're looking for.'Sprowl said his top priority was to find replacements for sophomore shortstop Nick Vickerson and second baseman John David Smelser. Vickerson signed with Mississippi State in November. Brett Whitaker played first base and was a relief pitcher. Whitaker signed with Alabama in November.Freshman Dustin Dunn, a third baseman, filled in at shortstop when Vickerson was out with a broken nose.'That's going to be the big key,' Sprowl said. 'Everywhere else we've got pretty much everybody back or we've got plenty of depth. It's just a matter of who's going to play in the middle infield. We signed Dustin Dunn as a shortstop. He played real well. That's comforting to know that we've got a guy that can go over there and play. When we signed guys, we were looking for some infielders. If it were an outfielder, we were looking for dual guys, somebody who could maybe pitch.'Sprowl loses sophomore outfielders David Kindred, Justin Diliberto and Greg Guy, but Coy Arrowood gained a starting role in his freshman season.'Arrowood has a good chance to move over to center field (from right) because he can run,' Sprowl said. 'In our park you've got to have somebody who can run. He played a lot of center field for us as it was. He'll be a big part of it.'Corben Green will get a shot at first base next year along with freshman Cayleb Coker and Glasgow. Green was redshirted after having his sophomore season cut short by a knee injury.Sprowl said Logan Pierce, a freshman designated hitter, will transfer to Troy University, where his father, Bobby Pierce, is the head coach.'I think (freshmen) Ben Fox and Matt Kirkwood were two of the better catchers in the state, and we'll have (freshman) Russ Warren coming back,' Sprowl said.Freshman left-hander Josh Wirnsberger and freshman right-hander Trey McNutt emerged as starting pitchers, and freshman left-hander Michael Carden led the team in pitching appearances.'I feel like we signed some good arms,' Sprowl said. 'Glasgow was as good a power hitter as there was in the state as well as a power pitcher. I think they'll all be able to contribute. Our strengths coming back will be pitching, the outfield and catching. (Brett) Whitaker is a big loss, but we signed a group I think can close out games. I like having three guys to close out games instead of one.'

Reach Andrew Carroll at andrew.carroll@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0223.